• Students will attend in-person learning daily for the full school day in elementary and secondary schools. Remote learning will remain an option. At the TDSB, most students have chosen to return to an in-person classroom.
• Students in Grades 1 to 12 are required to wear properly fitted non-medical or cloth masks indoors in school, but not outside. At the TDSB, we also require Kindergarten (JK/SK) students to wear non- medical or cloth masks.
• Medical masks are required to be worn by school staff and visitors indoors, but not required outdoors.
• Distancing between different cohorts in shared indoor spaces should be maintained.
• All staff and students must conduct a self-screening at home before coming to school. On-site confirmation of that screening may be required at highly transmissible times such as following a holiday.
• Every occupied classroom at the TDSB will have one or more HEPA filter units installed. To learn more about Ventilation visit www.tdsb.on.ca/School-Year-2021-22
• Students can participate in extracurricular activities and field trips as per relevant provincial requirements under the Reopening Ontario Act. Assemblies will continue to be held virtually.
• Libraries, computer labs and cafeterias will be open.
• Secondary schools will offer a modified semester model

For the most up to date information on learning models, mental health and well-being resources, health and safety measures, our pandemic recovery plan and more, please refer to www.tdsb.on.ca/school- year-2021-22. This webpage will continue to be updated with relevant information and resources to help support you and your family.
 

New Director of Education:

The TDSB welcomes Colleen Russell-Rawlins as Director of Education. She officially started on August 5th. She has held senior leadership positions with the Peel (Interim Director) and Toronto District School Boards. Colleen focuses on Equity as the foundation for improving student confidence, engagement, and achievement. As Associate Director (TDSB), she led improvements in early literacy, family engagement, childcare, and professional learning in equity, anti-racism, and anti-oppression. Colleen holds a Master of Education, Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education from York University. In 2020, Colleen was recognized as one of the 100 Accomplished Black Women in Canada. We are happy to have her leadership at the TDSB. To Learn more about Director Russell-Rawlins visit www.tdsb.on.ca (click on the Director Icon)
 

Budget 2021-22:  Reserves used to cover deficit and avoid cuts to programs and services, but Board urges Province to fully fund all pandemic costs.

Trustees approved the 2021-22 Operating Budget on June 30th. To support the safe and effective return to school in September, the $3.49B budget includes additional investments in the following areas: staffing supports; mental health; special education; student transportation health and safety; school operations; ventilation; and, re-engaging students. The TDSB’s 2021-22 deficit, which includes the Board’s pre-pandemic structural deficit and pandemic- related costs, is forecasted to be $59M. To avoid reducing programs and services for students during the pandemic, TDSB reserves will be used to cover these costs and balance next year’s budget. To learn more about the Budget visit www.tdsb.on.ca (Budget Icon)While the Ministry of Education has announced extra funding to offset the use of reserves to support pandemic costs incurred by school boards, the TDSB is not eligible because its pandemic costs do not exceed 2% of the Board’s operating budget. I wrote a letter to the Minister of Education advocating to have all pandemic-related costs covered through provincial funding. The letter can be found at www.tdsb.on.ca/ward12

School Council:  Find out how to get involved ...

The purpose of School Councils is to improve student achievement and to enhance the accountability  of the education system to parents. School councils make recommendations to their Principals, the  local Trustee and the Board on any matter. Principals and school boards must consult with school councils on a variety of matters that affect student learning. They must also consider recommendations made by school councils and report back to the councils on how they plan to act on their advice. A comprehensive guide to school council operations is provided by the Ontario Ministry of Education: School Councils: A Guide for Members. Visit www.torontopiac.com to learn a lot more about School Councils and how you can get involved as a parent and school leader. Everyone is welcome to join a School Council. I look forward to working with you locally to improve schools and outcomes for all students.

Important Contacts for School Council Issues:

Michelle Munroe, Central Coordinator
Parent and Community Engagement
michelle.munroe@tdsb.on.ca
416-397-3528

Susan Lee, Parent Involvement Advisory Committee Rep
(Willowdale/Ward 12)
info@torontopiac.com

Ward Forums 2021-2022

Every school year I host several ward meetings for parents/guardians, school councils and students. The meetings give me a chance to connect with you directly, provide useful information, and create  an opportunity to share your experiences and open lines of communication with others in Willowdale schools. The location for each ward forum will be chosen once dates have been confirmed. Childcare and translation services will be available at all meetings, if requested. I am hopeful that all Ward Forums will be in-person. Details will be shared closer to the event.

For 2021 I will host WARD FORUMS with the following topics:
Special Education – (Early October)
Mental Health and Well-Being – (Late October)
School Councils – (November)

For more details visit my website, www.tdsb.on.ca/ward12/ and sign up for my e-newsletter
 

2021-22 Important Dates

For more information, please visit www.tdsb.on.ca/schoolyearcalendar